Lyriciss Interview: Voice Of The Metro

Q: Hey Lyriciss, thanks for agreeing to do the interview. To start out with it, I definitely have to ask you to explain what the whole DMV hip hop scene is like.

A: Pure, raw, unappreciated talent. By the masses, that is. Anyone who’s really listened to the artists out here, came to shows, listened to their mixtapes/EPs/LPs, they already know the amount of talent out here. It really holds a breath of fresh air for hip-hop, the roots of the lyrical MC, with
the twist of the new-age experimental artist. It’s a very dope scene.

Q: Let the people know what to expect when listening to a Lyriciss record.

A: Passion and cleverness. I wear my heart on my sleeve in my music and otherwise, so I tend to talk about personal topics a lot, but I also have the lyrical ability and sense of humor to make a casual fan still enjoy the music.

Q: What or who would you say are your biggest influences?

A: Honestly, my life experience has been the BIGGEST influence. There’s obviously artists I’ve always respected and looked up to while growing and cultivating myself as an MC, people like Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, DMX, Jay-Z, AZ, Nas, Joe Budden, etc. Even nowadays, I’m a fan of the newer artists like Wale, Drake, J. Cole, XV, Phil Ade, and more.

Q: The Koalition is all about the fusion of Hip Hop and gaming; so tell me,
whats your favorite video game?

A: My favorite game of all time is Chrono Trigger for the SNES. I’m big on RPGs, which is why I’m a little disappointed with the new generation of consoles, because there aren’t many good ones out nowadays. It’s like RPGs kind of got lost in the mix of the technology advancement. Final Fantasy
VII, VIII, & IX also get honorable mentions. Nowadays, though, you’ll probably catch me on the 360, playing Madden 10 or Fallout 3. I’m playing both of those heavy.

Q: What would a Lyriciss video game be like, who would be the enemy?

A: It’d be an RPG, kind of in the same fashion as Fable or Fallout 3. You’d take me being born, have me grow up, put me through a bunch of random messed-up situations growing up in the DC area, pick whether I take the good route or bad route, and enjoy the positives and negatives of that. The
enemies would be dirty hustlers, crooked cops, wack rappers, & record label executives. (laughs)

Q: If there was one game you could do a soundtrack for, what would it be
and
why?

A: Whatever the next Grand Theft Auto game will be. Let me do that soundtrack…do we really need reasons when we’re talking about GTA? It’s an open-ended game, I can give an open-ended answer. (laughs) I’m just sayin’, though!

Q: What are your general thoughts on the state of hip hop right now?

A: It’s more quantity than quality. Everybody wants to be a rapper nowadays. I was rapping since age 9…I’m 21 now. When I was coming up and rapping, it wasn’t cool for you to be a rapper in DC, unless you were in a go-go band. You’re from DC and trying to rap? “What’s wrong with you? You from New York or something?” (laughs) Unless you were copying Scarface or UGK’s style,
that was the only way to get by in DC as a rapper. You had to sound like you was from Houston. But yeah…hip-hop isn’t what it used to be, from the art to the industry. Luckily, the corny rappers are sweating right now, because the record sales are going down, so they might quit soon, leaving the MCs that truly love the craft to move back into the shine.

Q: Which one of your songs are you most proud of?

A: “Welcome To Me”…that song is a song I hold very close to me for many reasons. I got extremely personal on that song…I spoke on my feelings about the industry, my daughter, and my ex. When I wrote that song, I was at one of the lowest points I’d been at in a long time, so it’s just a song I
truly deem special.

Q: Whats the highest level of success that you would be satisfied with, as
far as making music?

A: Sky’s the limit as far as success goes…the lowest I’d be comfortable with is the level where I can make the music I want to make and still live comfortable and have my daughter right. Anything less than that is unacceptable.

Q: Do you think that the constant emphasis on numbers makes it hard for
decent MC’s to be taken seriously?

A: Eh, possibly. Maybe by the mainstream crowd, but what people need to understand is that record sales are so minimal nowadays, especially with these 360 deals being given out as standard. The main focus should be grabbing up a loyal fanbase that will support you regardless.